The Art of Effective and Saleable Screenwriting

Writing for the film medium has become the modern version of the ancient art of storytelling. Unlike the novelist, the screenwriter cannot rely exclusively upon the written word, for the written word must be the screen’s spoken words   Read More

The Lost Language of Story

If you're like me, from your genesis as a screenwriter, from the very first screenwriting book you read, you were exposed to three-act structure - or from   Read More

Loglines Using the Seven Basic Elements of Screenplays

A screenplay consists of seven basic elements. What do you do with these elements? Answer: You put them together into what is known in the industry as a LOGLINE.   Read More

Using Theme and Arc to Generate Characters

I was consulting w/a student on an idea of hers the other day, not an awful lot so far, just a "one-line" but she did ask me at one point: "We've got our main character, but what about some other characters?   Read More

What Not to Write

Between working one-on-one with writers as a script consultant and working in the development departments of off-Hollywood companies like Miramax and Zoetrope, I've read quite a few scripts. While their virtues are all different, the same mistakes come up over and over again.   Read More

When Will My Script Be Ready?!?

As a producer and former VP of Development for production companies based at Sony, Universal and Disney, I’ve had the privilege of working with award-winning writers, directors and actors, and the most successful ones always...   Read More

Writing Loglines

I am going to make a few assumptions and write them in the first person, for my ease and in an effort to not offend. If after 5-7 weeks on the site, my synopsis has not been viewed,   Read More

Writing Synopses

According to 'The Complete Film Dictionary' by Ira Konigsberg, the definition of synopsis is, 'A brief summary of a film or potential film written in a few paragraphs and including only a general outline of events.' Here are a few suggestions:   Read More

Secrets of Breaking into the Industry - Part 2

Fail as often as you can. I can’t overemphasize the importance of failure as a pathway to success. You see and hear this everywhere: You cannot possibly succeed without failing first and learning from your failures along the way. That thought should be self-evident, but as we exist in such a success-driven society, it can be hard to remember that failure is a key component of the creative process.   Read More

Secrets of Breaking into the Industry - Part 1

I've made films. I'm making films, not only as a filmmaker, but as a dealmaker, marketer, entertainment lawyer, producer, facilitator, distributor, talent evaluator, and more. I know what it's like to be a beginner. To have questions. And to feel uncertain of the right moves to make on pressure-packed movie sets where minutes can mean thousands or millions of dollars.   Read More